This glitch occurred via two main stages. Firstly, the equipment used to communicate between the inbound train and the CBTC signalling system on the track failed to function.

The loss of connection between the train and the track is like your computer being disconnected from the internet — the computer would not be able to transmit or receive information, thus preventing you from going about your business.

Similarly, the train’s onboard systems was unable to receive information from the CBTC, and subsequently functioned independently from the entire system.

As a failsafe, if the train is disconnected from receiving orders from the signalling system, the CBTC will automatically set a Non-Communicating Obstruction (NCO) Bubble on the affected train for its safety.

The ‘bubble’ is basically a distance limit set around the affected train that other trains should keep away from.

The second stage occured when that limit was removed by a track point that was not fully compatible with the CBTC.

The Tuas Extension stations – Gul Circle, Tuas Crescent, Tuas West Road and Tuas Link – run on the THALES signalling system, while the rest of the East West Line run on the CBTC system. Which makes the tracks between Gul Circle and Joo Koon extremely complicated as trains have to change systems.

However, despite being not completely modified for compatibility, train services were allowed to run.

If SMRT’s and its leaders explicitly emphasised their commitment to passenger safety, why would they continue train services despite a clear safety risk?

An unjustified use of cacophony in the final report

Ultimately, the point of this article is to decipher the report that was fraught with large ambiguous terms.

There’s is no point to release a statement that is not vivid enough to be understood by the masses.

With all the inconvenience train mishaps have brought to the people of Singapore, the people deserve to make sense of all this no matter how bad the situation has become.

So far, let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the proposed closures will bring about some visible improvements — a not just some hearsay that the MRT is ‘improving’.